A Cyprus settlement in line with international law and UN Security Council Resolutions would significantly contribute to the peace and stability of the region, through Cyprus’ independent foreign policy, says the Joint Declaration issued after the Israel-Cyprus-Greece Summit, held on Tuesday in Jerusalem. The leaders of the three countries also stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and to preserve the stability in this region.
Prime Minister of Israel, Naftali Bennett, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades appear “convinced of the necessity of our trilateral cooperation” and say that they will continue working closely in order to realize its full potential, to the benefit of their countries and people, and to the wider region.
“Trilateral cooperation between Israel, Greece and Cyprus represents a center of joint interests connecting Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East,” the Joint Declaration reads, adding that the three leaders agreed to hold the next trilateral Summit in Cyprus, in the second part of 2022.
“We express our full and unwavering support to the ongoing negotiation process, under the United Nations Good Offices Mission, for a just, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on international law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Such a solution, which will reunify the island, based on the respect of democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, would not only benefit the people of Cyprus in its entirety, but also significantly contribute to the peace and stability of the region, through Cyprus’ independent foreign policy,” the Joint Declaration notes with regard to Cyprus.
The three countries also welcome the appointment of the Permanent Secretary of the Permanent Secretariat for the Trilateral Mechanisms, which they say will contribute to a better coordination in their various fields of cooperation and will further strengthen their ties.
“A diplomacy that builds bridges is what we need right now and we are determined to accomplish it,” they underline.
According to the Joint Declaration, this cooperation has the potential to bring about a new coalition based on shared goals for regional stability to meet the challenge of radicalism and the promotion of economic interests.
They also note that the “3+1” cooperation framework with the US indicates “the importance we attach to the US role in the Eastern Mediterranean” and say that they look forward to intensifying their cooperation with the United States, with the view of planning the participation of the US, at the appropriate political level, at one of their next meetings in line with the letter and spirit of the strong support that the US displays to our partnership.
The declaration also refers to strengthening trilateral defense coordination, which they say includes strategic dialogue, military and defense-industrial cooperation.
“Israel, Greece and Cyprus view the energy sector, and in particular, natural gas and renewable energy, as a solid foundation for cooperation in the region, based on international law, including the law of the sea and the respect of all states to exercise their sovereign rights in their respective EEZ/Continental Shelf,” the Joint Declaration goes on.
In the field of energy and concerning the EastMed Pipeline Project, Cyprus, Greece and Israel reconfirm their support of all projects of common interests.
They note that EastMed Gas Forum, where the Presidency will be assumed by Cyprus on January 1 2022, constitutes a “major opportunity for cooperation and dialogue, for the stakeholders of the region.”
The also acknowledge the importance of regional cooperation in the fields of environmental protection and climate change and express willingness to cooperate in the framework of relevant regional initiatives, including through the Cyprus initiative for Coordinating Climate Change Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Cyprus, Greece and Israel also renew their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the field of preparedness and response for emergency situations, and note that they decided to resume a working group on those issues.
In relation to COVID-19, the three countries say they stand committed to offer mutual assistance to overcome the consequences of the pandemic and strengthen their cooperation in this field.
SOURCE: CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY